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SEPTA Board Chairman Recognized As Nation's Best

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale T. "Pat" Deon Sr. has been named the winner of a prestigious national award that honors exceptional service by public transportation board members.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has named Deon as its selection for the 2014 Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member Award, officials announced today. Deon, a local entrepreneur, has applied his private-sector experience to SEPTA, bringing fiscal stability and a clear vision for the future.

"Chairman Deon has been a great leader for SEPTA and a steadfast representative for public transportation," said SEPTA General Manager Joseph M. Casey. "He brought a businessman's sensibility to his role as SEPTA Board Chairman and mandated a customer-first approach to everything we do."

Deon has served as SEPTA chairman since 1999 and has been a board member since 1996. Under his watch, SEPTA has operated with balanced budgets for 15 consecutive years, while also investing $3.5 billion in capital improvements. He has overseen the completion of dozens of major initiatives, such as the rebuilding of the Market Street portion of the Market-Frankford Line and the purchase of new Silverliner V Regional Rail cars. He has also been a guiding force in the Authority's ongoing effort to implement a transformational new fare system as part of the New Payment Technology program.

These efforts will be enhanced moving forward thanks to Act 89, a comprehensive, statewide funding plan for transportation championed by Deon leading up to its approval last November.

"Pat took a leadership role with Act 89, engaging the governor and lawmakers about the critical need to upgrade Pennsylvania's transportation infrastructure," said SEPTA Board Vice Chairman Thomas E. Babcock. "His efforts were key to gaining bipartisan support, and raising awareness about the need for a dedicated, long-term funding solution for the state's roads, bridges and transit systems."

Deon will formally receive the award at APTA's annual meeting in October.

"APTA is proud to honor Mr. Deon's contributions to public transportation," said APTA President and Chief Executive Officer Michael P. Melaniphy. "His stewardship of SEPTA has been key to delivering the kind of high-quality public transportation customers rely on every day, and his work toward securing capital funding for improvements ensures a bright future ahead."